Microbiologist Principal - PH

IdahoPTV; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave from day one

Retirement plans (pre-tax and Roth)

Deferred compensation

Life insurance

Job summary

Idaho Department of Health & Welfare in Boise seeks a Microbiologist, Principal to perform routine clinical testing, viral culture, and RT-PCR in a high‑complexity CLIA laboratory. You will manage nucleic acid extraction, instrument calibration, and data reporting while coordinating priorities in a fast-paced team environment.

Role requires expertise in real-time PCR, lab procedures, and ceremonial necropsy work on animals for Rabies testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with four years journey-level lab experience OR Master's degree with three years lab experience
• Experience implementing laboratory procedures (lead worker or project coordinator)
• Experience calibrating, operating, troubleshooting, maintaining sophisticated lab equipment
• Experience with real-time RT-PCR (RT-PCR)
• Experience with high-complexity testing in a CLIA-certified lab
• Willingness to receive pre-exposure Rabies Virus immunization or proof of prior immunization

Responsibilities

• Perform routine clinical testing and viral culture in a biosafety cabinet
• Conduct nucleic acid extraction and reagent/ media preparation
• Operate and calibrate thermocyclers and automated extraction/liquid handling systems
• Peer-review submission data for accuracy and communicate with stakeholders
• Perform necropsies on animals submitted for Rabies virus testing
• Assist Supervisor with training staff and SOP maintenance

Skills

RT-PCR experience

High-complexity testing

Equipment calibration

Laboratory procedures

Rabies immunization willing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology/ Biology/ Chemistry

Master's degree in Microbiology/ Biology or related science

Job description

Description

DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND INDEPENDENCE OF IDAHOANS

The Idaho Bureau of Laboratories is seeking to fill a full-time permanent position for Microbiologist, Principal in Boise. This position will routinely handle and test various specimen types in a biosafety cabinet, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and adhere to safe laboratory practices. This position requires attentiveness and response to both routine and outbreak testing situations. Due to this nature, we are seeking a candidate who excels in a fast-paced team environment and can balance a workload while coordinating multiple priorities. Responsibilities include routine clinical testing, viral culture, nucleic acid extraction, reagent and media preparation, performing daily temperature and calibration checks on various lab devices, peer-review of submission form data for accuracy and communicating with stakeholders and laboratory clients. The incumbent will also perform necropsies on animals submitted for Rabies virus testing.

This position is not eligible for telework.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare is a drug-free workplace. Any applicant offered employment in this position at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)
• 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options
• Deferred compensation plan
• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Wide variety of training opportunities
• Some positions offer flexible hours and/or telecommuting
• Performs high-complexity analyses on clinical and proficiency testing samples
• Interprets analytical results, creates data visualizations, and reports findings
• Uses, maintains, and evaluates performance of complex instrumentation, including thermocyclers, and automated extraction and liquid handling systems
• Assists Technical Supervisor with training laboratory personnel in laboratory methods, participates in proficiency testing, and operates laboratory information management systems
• Performs optimization and validation/verification of assays for emerging diseases and public health surveillance
• Assists Technical Supervisor with writing, and maintaining current Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manuals for existing and newly developed assays
• Consults with departments, agencies, laboratories and health professionals regarding testing and procedures and results interpretation
• Assists Technical Supervisor with the development of quality assurance objectives, collects quality control data, and monitors performance within a specialty area of the laboratory
• Maintains laboratory quality assurance documentation that is compliant with federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations
• Performs necropsies (i.e., extraction of brain tissue) on animal specimens submitted for Rabies Virus testing

You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Please make sure your resume or work history supports your meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Failure to do this may disqualify you from being considered for this position.It is highly recommended to attach a one-page cover letter to your application to demonstrate how you meet the requirements below.

• Completion of the core requirements for a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Medical Technology, Biology, or Chemistry AND approximately four years of journey level supervised laboratory experience OR completion of a Master's degree in Microbiology, Biology, or related science and three years’ experience as above OR Experience or a combination of coursework and experience that represents the knowledge level above.
• Experience implementing laboratory procedures. Typically gained by at least one year laboratory experience (outside of college requirements) as a lead worker or laboratory project coordinator requiring the implementation of laboratory procedures.
• Experience calibrating, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining sophisticated laboratory equipment and instruments. Typically gained by at least one year laboratory experience (outside of college requirements) with a significant part of assigned duties calibrating, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining sophisticated laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Experience with real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Typically gained by at least 6 months of experience performing rt-PCR and analyzing results. Special consideration will be given to candidates with experience performing analysis using ABI 7500 Fast or QuantStudioDx, 5, or 7 instruments.
• Experience with high-complexity testing in a CLIA certified laboratory. Typically gained by at least 6 months of experience performing high-complexity analysis in a clinical diagnostic laboratory.
• Willingness to receive pre-exposure Rabies Virus immunization to perform Rabies testing or provide proof of prior Rabies immunization.

If relocating to Idaho, the Department of Health & Welfare does not reimburse the cost of relocating and the department does not sponsor anyone with a work visa.

If you have questions, please contact us at:

Email is the quickest way to get an answer to your questions.

(answered Monday through Friday during business hours MST)

EMAIL: [e-mail]
PHONE: [phone]

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact [phone] (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [e-mail].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.